The Board of Education of Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 at its May 20, 2019 meeting confirmed the appointments effective July 1 of two experienced administrators: Dr. Marybeth Whitney-DeLaMar as the new principal of Franklin Elementary School and Mrs. Angela Brito as principal of Washington Elementary School.

Dr. DeLaMar comes to Franklin School with eight years of principal experience at the elementary school level, most recently at Wayne Elementary in Elgin’s School District U-46 and previously for schools in Millburn District 24 in Wadsworth. She began her administrative career at Salt Creek Elementary School in Arlington Heights Community Consolidated School District 59, where she served as assistant principal for four years.

“We are very excited to welcome Dr. DeLaMar, as her rich history of elementary principal experience and special education, along with her kind demeanor and focus on collaboration made her an ideal candidate for Franklin,” according to incoming Superintendent Eric Olson.

“Dr. DeLaMar is a caring administrator, who is passionate about the success of students and staff and who looks forward to partnering with the Franklin community to showcase strong learning and achievement for all,” Dr. Olson added.

Earlier in her career, Dr. DeLaMar was an elementary school teacher for primary grades and a Tier II intervention teacher for several districts in the far northwest suburbs. Dr. DeLaMar received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from DePaul University, and her doctorate from National-Louis University. She is an adjunct professor at Concordia University in its principal preparation program.

Coming to Washington School most recently from the Chicago Public Schools, Mrs. Brito brings five years of experience as principal or assistant principal of James G. Blaine Elementary School in Chicago’s Wrigleyville/Lakeview neighborhood. Previously, she served for four years as academic director and teacher at Bethune School of Excellence also in CPS. Mrs. Brito began her career in education as a classroom teacher at schools in Chicago, New York and Madison, Wisconsin.

“Mrs. Brito proved to be an excellent candidate with her focus on relationships, easy-going and comforting nature, and for her passion for instructional leadership,” Dr. Olson noted. “Mrs. Brito has served as a principal previously and has a strong background in best practices, sound, shared decision-making, and a desire to see all students succeed,” he added.

“She will be an excellent addition to our administrative team, and we know she is looking forward to getting to know the Washington community,” Dr. Olson noted.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Mrs. Brito received her master’s degree from Concordia University. As a teacher, she also attained National Board Certification as a middle childhood generalist.

District 64 conducted the search for the Franklin and Washington principals simultaneously, selecting both following an intensive review process from an initial pool of 57 applicants. For both schools, paper and phone screenings yielded 10 semi-finalists, who were interviewed twice by an administrative committee of central office and building administrators.

Five candidates then met with a joint committee of Franklin and Washington staff members, parents from both schools, an elementary building principal and central office administrators before Dr. Olson selected Dr. DeLaMar and Mrs. Brito for their respective schools.

Opportunities are being planned to introduce the new principals to their school communities and welcome them to D64 prior to the opening of the 2019-20 school year.